Category: Azer News

Footage of President Ilham Aliyev’s participation at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum was posted on his social media accounts, AzerNEWS reports.

The post reads: “4th Shusha Global Media Forum with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev.”

The project titled “Mini MBA Program for Education Leaders” project has been concluded, AzerNEWS reports.

The project was implemented by the Azerbaijan Education Society within the framework of the Ministry of Science and Education’s grant competition “Supporting Public Initiatives in the Field of Science and Education.”

The event featured discussions on the project’s objectives, implementation process, and outcomes.

Opening the ceremony, Chairman of the Board of the Education Society Murad Agalarov provided detailed information about the project’s goals, progress, and achievements.

He noted that the main objective of the initiative was to enhance the knowledge and skills of heads of general education institutions and education administrators in areas such as strategic management, leadership, financial and human resources management, quality assurance, communication, and other modern management fields.

Within the program, participants gained not only theoretical knowledge but also benefited from practical assignments, discussions, and experience-sharing opportunities.

Speaking at the event, Head of the Public Relations and Communication Department of the Ministry of Science and Education, Sebuhi Rzayev, emphasized the important role of professional leadership and effective communication in education reforms, noting that such initiatives make a significant contribution to the development of education managers.

Deputy Director of the Institute of Education Fuad Garayev highlighted the importance of school leaders evolving beyond administrative roles and becoming leaders capable of managing change in the modern era. He described the program as a successful platform in this regard.

Deputy Head of the Baku City Education Department Fattah Fattayev spoke about the importance of establishing effective management models in schools, continuous professional development, and experience exchange. He encouraged program participants to apply the knowledge and skills they gained in their daily professional activities.

Participants stated that the knowledge and experience acquired during the program had made a significant contribution to their professional development.

At the end of the ceremony, certificates were presented to participants who successfully completed the “Mini MBA Program for Education Leaders.”

United States President Donald Trump warned on Monday that the federal government could face a shutdown in September unless Senate Republicans eliminate the filibuster, AzerNEWS reports.

“Otherwise, we’re going to have a shutdown in September, and we have a debt ceiling problem coming in two years,” Trump said. He claimed Democrats plan to shut down the government ahead of the midterm elections and urged Republicans to eliminate the filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act. Trump also said the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who was “very strong” on passing the legislation, had begun to support ending the filibuster in response to the potential shutdown. “He started to see that,” the president remarked.

“If you terminate the filibuster, everything goes away. And we do anything we want. We pass everything we want,” Trump stated, adding that Democrats would eliminate the rule themselves if given the opportunity.

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Ian Saunders has arrived in Azerbaijan on an official visit, AzerNEWS reports.

As part of the visit, the Secretary General first visited the Alley of Honor, where he paid tribute to the memory of Azerbaijan’s National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, and laid a wreath at his grave. He also visited the grave of the distinguished ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva, where he laid fresh flowers.

He then visited the Alley of Martyrs to honor the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan’s independence and territorial integrity, laying a wreath at the Eternal Flame Memorial.

During the visit, Ian Saunders met with officials at the State Customs Committee, where both sides expressed satisfaction with the long-standing and productive cooperation between the WCO and the Azerbaijani Customs Service. They also exchanged views on opportunities to further strengthen and expand their partnership.

At the meeting, the Secretary General was given a comprehensive presentation on the Azerbaijani Customs Service’s recent achievements, including its digital transformation initiatives, artificial intelligence-based solutions, innovative projects, and modern management approaches.

Ian Saunders also toured the State Customs Committee’s Targeting Center and the Customs History Museum to learn more about their operations.

At the conclusion of his visit, the WCO Secretary General met with employees of the State Customs Committee. He shared his views on new approaches to customs development, the evolving challenges facing customs administrations, and the World Customs Organization’s ongoing initiatives and strategic priorities in this field.

China and Russia are reportedly seeking the capability to disable and eventually destroy Starlink as part of expanding military cooperation, according to an investigation by The Insider, AzerNEWS reports.

The investigation, conducted jointly by The Insider, Der Spiegel and Le Monde, alleges that the two countries are developing technologies aimed at countering the satellite internet network, including Starlink-specific malware and electronic jamming systems.

According to the report, the cooperation reflects a broader military partnership under which Russia is providing battlefield experience from its war in Ukraine in exchange for Chinese technology, enabling Moscow to improve its ability to counter Ukrainian drone operations that rely heavily on Starlink communications.

The investigation also claims the partnership is intended to develop weapons systems that neither country could create independently, including capabilities that could eventually threaten the physical integrity of the Starlink satellite constellation.

The report says Russian forces have increasingly deployed powerful electronic warfare systems to jam Starlink signals used by Ukrainian forces on the battlefield.

The findings could further complicate relations between China and Europe, as Beijing has consistently denied providing military assistance to Russia during the war in Ukraine.

The allegations have not been independently verified.

A meeting has been held between the Ministry of Science and Education and the Ministry of Culture on the implementation of the “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040 Cultural Concept of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” AzerNEWS reports.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Science and Education Hasan Hasanli, Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova, and representatives of relevant structural divisions of both ministries.

During the discussions, the implementation status of measures covering cooperation in the fields of culture, science, and education under the 2026-2030 Action Plan of the Concept was reviewed. The participants also discussed issues related to inter-institutional coordination and the effective organization of implementation processes.

Within the framework of measures planned for 2026, the sides exchanged views on issues such as integrating culture into the education system, ensuring interaction between science and culture, improving education in the cultural sector as well as related academic programs and specializations at different levels of education.

They also discussed the creation and promotion of new scientific and publicistic works in the fields of the Azerbaijani language and literature.

At the end of the meeting, the participants discussed further steps in relevant areas and emphasized the importance of cooperation in achieving the goals set out in the Concept.

On January 14, 2026, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree endorsing the “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040” Cultural Concept, a long-term strategic plan aimed at shaping the country’s cultural development over the next two decades, according to Azernews.

The initiative seeks to balance tradition and modernity, preserving national identity while fostering sustainable growth and enhancing Azerbaijan’s cultural presence on the global stage.

The Concept envisions a contemporary cultural model that respects national and moral values and ensures structured, long-term development across all cultural sectors. It places particular emphasis on the Azerbaijani language, advocating for its stronger presence in cultural life, deeper development, and increased international visibility and influence.

To realize these goals, the Concept proposes coordinated measures to elevate the status of Azerbaijani in society, including efforts to promote, develop, and support the language as a dynamic and evolving medium of expression. Anticipated results include the growth of the Azerbaijani literary language, the creation of new works in the native tongue, and expanded use of Azerbaijani across digital platforms.

The Concept also highlights the importance of international promotion to extend the language’s global reach and enhance its role in worldwide communication. Measures will aim to increase both the quantity and quality of scientific, journalistic, and literary output in Azerbaijani, ensuring it remains a vibrant cultural and intellectual tool.

Coordinated by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the Concept outlines a phased implementation plan divided into three stages: 2026-2030, 2031-2035, and 2036-2040, each with clearly defined objectives and institutional mechanisms to guide progress.

The Houthi Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that “the Saudi regime has declared war and must bear full responsibility for it” following strikes on Sanaa International Airport, AzerNEWS reports.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out the attack, calling it “blatant and unjust aggression.”

Yemen’s internationally recognized government, however, has claimed responsibility for targeting the airport’s runway, saying it launched the strike to stop an Iranian delegation’s plane from landing.

Air strikes have hit the international airport in Sanaa, the Houthi-held capital of Yemen, said the rebels and the country’s exiled government.

The Ministry of Defence of Yemen’s internationally recognised government said it attacked the runway to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing on Yemeni soil, SABA reports.

The Iran-backed Houthis took over the Yemeni capital Sanaa in 2014, prompting intervention by a Saudi-led coalition the following year, at the request of the internationally recognised government.

“The Houthi terrorist militias, supported by the Iranian regime, prevented Yemeni national aircraft from landing at the capital’s airport, Sanaa, and insisted that the Iranian aircraft violate Yemeni airspace. Therefore, the airport runway was targeted,” the ministry said in a statement.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree, in a statement, accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out July 13 strikes.

Owners of electric vehicles (EVs) in China replace their cars far more frequently than owners of vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE), according to the China Press newspaper, citing a joint report by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Hejun Consulting, AzerNEWS reports.

The study found that the average age of an electric vehicle in China is just 1.8 years, compared with 8.2 years for cars powered by internal combustion engines.

Researchers attribute this trend to the rapid pace of technological innovation in the EV industry. Models that are only two or three years old can already lag behind newer vehicles in terms of driving range, charging speed, battery efficiency, and advanced driver-assistance systems. As a result, many owners choose to upgrade to newer models much sooner than traditional car owners.

Another factor driving this trend is the intense competition among Chinese automakers. Manufacturers introduce new models and software updates at an unprecedented pace, often offering improved features at competitive prices. This makes upgrading to a newer EV more attractive and affordable for consumers, further accelerating the replacement cycle.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for strikes targeting US positions in Bahrain and Oman, AzerNEWS reports, citing a statement released by force.

The IRGC said its Navy launched missile and drone attacks against US military facilities and infrastructure in Bahrain, as well as long-range air surveillance and ship-detection radar systems in Oman, in retaliation for recent US airstrikes on Iran.

The statement also alleged that US strikes conducted overnight targeted an agricultural water facility in Mahshahr County, located in Iran’s Khuzestan Province.

The IRGC further warned that ensuring the continued operation of the Strait of Hormuz depends on the US ending what it called interference in the strategic waterway and respecting the sovereignty of coastal countries. It added that any further US involvement in the strait could result in more serious consequences for global oil and gas markets.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, holding significant strategic importance as approximately 20% of global oil supplies and around 25% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports pass through it. Essentially, it serves as an energy artery for countries in Asia, Europe, and even the United States.

The strait separates Iran from Oman, and in some areas, the width of the shipping channel is only two miles on each side. Given its critical role in global energy supply chains, ensuring the safety and security of this vital waterway is paramount for international trade and economic stability.

Research on the causes, dynamics, and impacts of drought events and desertification processes in Azerbaijan is being conducted at the Institute of Geography under the Ministry of Science and Education, AzerNEWS reports citing Azertag.

Drought and desertification have become among the major environmental challenges in Azerbaijan in recent decades. Experts say that the main causes of these processes include global climate change, along with the depletion of water resources, inefficient use of land resources, and anthropogenic impacts.

It was noted that due to its geographical location, Azerbaijan is naturally prone to drought, as it is situated within semi-desert and dry subtropical climate zones. However, global climate change is further intensifying this tendency by increasing the frequency and severity of drought events.

The risk of water shortages, soil degradation, and desertification is considered particularly high in arid regions such as the Kura-Araz Lowland and the Absheron Peninsula.

Institute specialists emphasized that drought should not be attributed solely to reduced precipitation.

The process is formed as a result of the combined impact of various climatic factors, including rising average annual temperatures, longer summer seasons, more intense heat waves, increased evaporation, and other climate-related changes.